U.S. patent application number 12/900783 was filed with the patent office on 2011-04-14 for device for aiding the flight management of an aircraft.
This patent application is currently assigned to THALES. Invention is credited to Bertrand BARNETCHE, Francois COULMEAU, Julien KLOTZ, Jerome SACLE.
Application Number | 20110087428 12/900783 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42270164 |
Filed Date | 2011-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110087428 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BARNETCHE; Bertrand ; et
al. |
April 14, 2011 |
DEVICE FOR AIDING THE FLIGHT MANAGEMENT OF AN AIRCRAFT
Abstract
A device for aiding the flight management of an aircraft
includes a navigation display, a personalized database capable of
storing navigation-aid data, each datum comprising a classification
type representative of a family or of one or more categories of
navigation-aid data, one or more periods of validity of the said
datum, information relating to at least one geographic zone of the
said datum, one graphic and/or textual representation of the said
datum, selection means allowing an operator to choose one (or more)
type(s) of classification, called selected type(s), extraction
means capable of extracting from the personalized database the
navigation-aid datum or data called extracted data of which the
type is equal to at least one selected type, of which at least one
geographic zone is situated at a distance, from the flight plan or
from the aircraft, that is less than a predetermined maximum
distance and of which at least one period of validity verifies a
predefined display time criterion, the said extraction means
transmitting the said extracted datum or data to the said
navigation display capable of displaying the representations of the
said extracted data.
Inventors: |
BARNETCHE; Bertrand;
(TOULOUSE, FR) ; COULMEAU; Francois; (SEILH,
FR) ; KLOTZ; Julien; (TOULOUSE, FR) ; SACLE;
Jerome; (TOULOUSE, FR) |
Assignee: |
THALES
NEUILLY/SUR/SEINE
FR
|
Family ID: |
42270164 |
Appl. No.: |
12/900783 |
Filed: |
October 8, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/532 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C 21/00 20130101;
G01C 23/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/200 |
International
Class: |
G01C 21/00 20060101
G01C021/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 9, 2009 |
FR |
09 04850 |
Claims
1. A device for aiding the flight management of an aircraft
comprising a navigation display and a flight management system
comprising means for computing a flight plan that the aircraft is
assumed to have to follow, wherein said device further comprises: a
personalized database capable of storing navigation-aid data, each
datum comprising a classification type representative of a family
or of one or more categories of navigation-aid data, one or more
periods of validity of the said datum, information relating to at
least one geographic zone of the said datum, one graphic and/or
textual representation of the said datum and a visibility slot;
selection means allowing an operator to choose one (or more)
type(s) of classification, called selected type(s); and extraction
means capable of extracting from the personalized database the
navigation-aid datum or data called extracted data of which the
type is equal to at least one selected type, of which at least one
geographic zone is situated at a distance, from the flight plan or
from the aircraft, that is less than a predetermined maximum
distance, of which at least one period of validity verifies a
predefined display time criterion, and of which at least one
visibility slot comprises the external visibility, wherein said
extraction means transmitting the said extracted datum or data to
the said navigation display capable of displaying the
representations of the said extracted data.
2. The device for aiding the flight management of an aircraft
according to claim 1, wherein the family of a navigation-aid datum
is either a family of textual data, or a family of geographic data
taken from a family of air-traffic management data or a family of
piloting-aid geographic data, the said families of navigation-aid
data being optionally divided into categories.
3. The device for aiding the flight management of an aircraft
according to claim 2, wherein the navigation display is capable of
displaying a window dedicated to the representations of the
extracted data belonging to the family of textual data and/or a
navigation-specific window dedicated to displaying representations
of the elements of the flight plan and representations of the
extracted data belonging to a family of geographic data.
4. The device for aiding the flight management of an aircraft
according to claim 1, wherein the extraction means are capable of
extracting the navigation-aid datum or data in which the said
geographic zone is situated at a distance, from the flight plan or
from the aircraft, that is less than the maximum distance and is
also at least partly included in a predetermined geographic zone of
display.
5. The device for aiding the flight management of an aircraft
according to claim 1, wherein a period of validity of a
navigation-aid datum verifies the display time criterion when the
intersection between the said period of validity of the said datum
and a period of flight, during which the aircraft is assumed to
have to follow the flight plan, is not zero.
6. The device for aiding the flight management of an aircraft
according to claim 1, wherein a period of validity of a
navigation-aid datum verifies the display time criterion when at
least one estimated time of passage at a point of intersection
between at least one geographic zone of the said datum and the
flight plan is included in at least one period of validity of the
said datum.
7. The device for aiding the flight management of an aircraft
according to claim 5, wherein the extraction means are capable of
extracting the navigation-aid datum or data in which also at least
one period of validity includes the current time.
8. The device for aiding the flight management of an aircraft
according to claim 6, wherein the extraction means are capable of
extracting the navigation-aid datum or data in which also at least
one period of validity includes the current time.
9. The device for aiding the flight management of an aircraft
according to claim 3, wherein a navigation-aid datum also comprises
a range of display scales and the extraction means are capable of
extracting the navigation-aid datum or data in which also the range
of display scales comprises a display scale of the navigation
window defined by the ratio between the size of the said display
zone and the size of the navigation display.
10. The device for aiding the flight management of an aircraft
according to claim 1, wherein the personalized database comprises a
homologated storage space containing data which have been validated
by an operator outside the crew and the extraction means are
capable of extracting the navigation-aid datum or data also being
stored in the homologated storage space.
11. The device for aiding the flight management of an aircraft
according to claim 1, wherein a navigation-aid datum also comprises
a display context and the extraction means are capable of
extracting the navigation-aid datum or data in which also the
display context corresponds to the context of the aircraft relative
to the load of the aircraft, the presence of failures or the flight
phase.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to foreign French patent
application No. FR 09 04850, filed on Oct. 9, 2009, the disclosure
of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a device for aiding flight
management. A device for aiding flight management conventionally
includes a flight management system FMS and a man-machine interface
comprising a navigation display.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] FIG. 1 shows a known device 100 for aiding flight management
installed on board an aircraft. This device conventionally
comprises a flight management system FMS 2 capable of constructing
a flight plan. Conventionally, a flight plan defines the route that
the crew of an aircraft plans to follow in order to go from a
starting position to a destination point of its mission and the
conditions for travelling this route. The flight plan is defined by
geographic elements of the flight plan, namely a succession of
waypoints WP connected by straight or curved segments called "legs"
and elements associated with various flight requirements of
heading, of altitude, of speed, of passage time, etc. that must be
adhered to by the aircraft when it passes over or in their
vicinity. The flight plan also comprises a lateral trajectory and a
vertical trajectory in the horizontal plane and respectively in the
vertical plane. In the rest of the text, elements of the flight
plan will refer to the geographic elements of the flight plan, the
elements associated with flight requirements and the lateral
trajectory and the vertical trajectory of the flight plan.
[0004] The flight management system FMS, 2, conventionally
comprises: [0005] location means LOCNAV, 170, for locating the
aircraft based on information transmitted by geolocation means GEO,
220, of the aircraft which comprise for example satellite
positioning receivers, radiofrequency beacons, inertial navigation
units; [0006] means 110, 130, 150 for storing flight parameters
comprising: [0007] means FPLN, 110, for storing the geographic
elements of the flight plan, constituting the skeleton of the route
to be followed, input by the crew by means of the on-board console
MCDU, 3, which will be described hereinafter, [0008] a navigation
database NavDB, 130, updated every 28 days, capable of storing
standard data essential to the construction of the flight plan,
based on standard data supplied by the aviation authorities (the
method for feeding the base is as follows: supply of the aviation
data by the States or delegated bodies, conversion to the A424
format for the suppliers of data of the EAG, Jeppesen or LSY type,
then conversion to a binary format that is optimized and the
property of each FMS manufacturer), [0009] a performance database,
PerfDB 150, containing the aerodynamic and engine parameters of the
aircraft, [0010] computing means 120, 140 for constructing the
flight plan based on the data stored in the storage means 110, 130,
150, the said computing means 120, 140 comprising: [0011] a module
for constructing a lateral trajectory TRAJ, 120, for constructing a
continuous lateral trajectory based on the geographic elements of
the flight plan, complying with the aeroplane performance and the
requirements stored in the navigation database NavDB 130, [0012] a
module for constructing a vertical trajectory PRED, 140, for
constructing a vertical profile optimized on the lateral trajectory
complying with the performance of the aeroplane and the
requirements stored in the navigation database NavDB, 130, [0013] a
guidance module GUID 200, for generating guidance commands making
it possible to guide the aircraft in the lateral and vertical
planes along the flight plan, while optimizing its speed, the
guidance commands then being transmitted to the pilot or to an
automatic pilot not shown, [0014] a ground/aircraft communication
system called CMU (the acronym for "Communication Management
Unit"), 180, allowing the flight management system to communicate
with stations based on the ground, in particular air traffic
control ATC stations, 370, or airlines or else to communicate with
other aircraft.
[0015] The elements of the FMS are conventionally connected
together but the links between these elements are not shown for
greater clarity.
[0016] The standard data stored in the navigation database comprise
published navigation procedures NavDB (for example, take-off or
landing procedures, air routes) that the aircraft may be required
to comply with in the space in which it operates. The standard data
also include information concerning airports, runways and
radionavigation beacons.
[0017] Conventionally, the aircraft is connected to a man-machine
interface 3 called the MCDU ("Multipurpose Control Display Unit"),
3, which is a data input and display console comprising manual
inputting means 4, comprising keys, allowing the crew to enter data
into the said console, to select zones displayed on a display
called the navigation display ND, 5, and to activate the selected
zone in order to initiate operations that relate to what is
displayed. The navigation display ND, 5, is capable of displaying a
window (optionally occupying the whole display) dedicated to
navigation, comprising (graphic and optionally textual)
representations of elements of the flight plan in a geographic
space called the display zone ZA such as, for example, the lateral
trajectory and/or of the lateral trajectory and the various
waypoints WP of the position of the aircraft. Representations
(which may be graphic and optionally textual) of data stored in the
navigation database may also be displayed. The window dedicated to
navigation helps the crew to follow the flight plan. It is
displayed automatically or on command of the crew using the manual
inputting means.
[0018] Navigation-aid data that are distinct from the standard data
of the navigation database NavDB are also useful to the pilot for
completing his mission. They involve, for example, textual
information relating to the route, to the airport of departure or
arrival, air traffic management (ATM) data (sector limits, safety
altitudes at given positions, airspace divisions), data relating to
towns, rivers, forests, borders between countries, high-voltage
lines, motorways.
[0019] The navigation-aid data are currently available in documents
available in paper form on the flight deck or in an electronic
flight bag (EFB), replacing the paper documentation and being
disconnected from the flight management system FMS and from the
flight console MCDU. However, consulting the aforementioned
information in these media is time-consuming for the pilot.
Moreover, it is difficult to find and take account of the
information that is of use to the pilot during his mission. For
example, it is necessary to carry out calculations, based on the
current position of the aircraft and on information showing a
border with a country over which flying is banned, in order to
ensure that the aircraft does not penetrate the banned airspace.
This calculation represents a risk factor because, on the one hand,
it requires the attention of the crew and, on the other hand, it is
approximate. Certain corporate aeroplanes superpose a map over
their navigation display ND corresponding to a cartographic
background representing the ground situated beneath the flight
plan. However, this information is fixed; it is not necessarily
useful to the crew. Moreover, it is difficult to create a
background which on the one hand does not overload the navigation
display and, on the other hand, presents all the information useful
to the pilot during his mission.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The object of the present invention is to propose a
navigation-aid device which makes it easier for the crew on board
to access the navigation-aid data that are useful to it and to take
account of these data, while minimizing the number of tasks that
have to be performed by the crew.
[0021] Accordingly, the subject of the invention is a device for
aiding the flight management of an aircraft comprising a navigation
display, a flight management system comprising means for computing
a flight plan that the aircraft is assumed to have to follow, the
said device also comprising: [0022] a personalized database capable
of storing navigation-aid data, each datum comprising a
classification type representative of a family or of one or more
categories of navigation-aid data, one or more periods of validity
of the said datum, information relating to at least one geographic
zone of the said datum, one graphic and/or textual representation
of the said datum and a visibility slot, [0023] selection means
allowing an operator to choose one (or more) type(s) of
classification, called selected type(s), [0024] extraction means
capable of extracting from the personalized database the
navigation-aid datum or data called extracted data of which the
type is equal to at least one selected type, of which at least one
geographic zone is situated at a distance, from the flight plan or
from the aircraft, that is less than a predetermined maximum
distance, of which at least one period of validity verifies a
predefined display time criterion, and of which at least one
visibility slot comprises the external visibility, the said
extraction means transmitting the said extracted datum or data to
the said navigation display capable of displaying the
representations of the said extracted data.
[0025] The device according to the invention optionally comprises
the following features, taken alone or in combination: [0026] the
family of a navigation-aid datum is either a family of textual
data, or a family of geographic data taken from a family of
air-traffic management data or a family of piloting-aid geographic
data, the said families of navigation-aid data being optionally
divided into categories, [0027] the navigation display is capable
of displaying a window dedicated to the representations of the
extracted data belonging to the family of textual data and/or a
navigation-specific window dedicated to displaying representations
of the elements of the flight plan and representations of the
extracted data belonging to a family of geographic data, [0028] the
extraction means are capable of extracting the navigation-aid datum
or data, including the said geographic zone situated at a distance,
from the flight plan or from the aircraft, that is less than the
maximum distance and is also at least partly included in a
predetermined geographic zone of display, [0029] a period of
validity of a navigation-aid datum verifies the display time
criterion when the intersection between the said period of validity
of the said datum and a period of flight, during which the aircraft
is assumed to have to follow the flight plan, is not zero, [0030] a
period of validity of a navigation-aid datum verifies the display
time criterion when at least one estimated time of passage at a
point of intersection between at least one geographic zone of the
said datum and the flight plan is included in at least one period
of validity of the said datum, [0031] the extraction means are
capable of extracting the navigation-aid datum or data in which
also at least one period of validity includes the current time,
[0032] a navigation-aid datum also comprises a range of display
scales and the extraction means are capable of extracting the
navigation-aid datum or data in which also the range of display
scales comprises a display scale of the navigation window defined
by the ratio between the size of the said display zone and the size
of the navigation display, [0033] the personalized database
comprises a homologated storage space and the extraction means are
capable of extracting the navigation-aid datum or data also being
stored in the homologated storage space, [0034] a navigation-aid
datum also comprises a display context and the extraction means are
capable of extracting the navigation-aid datum or data of which
also the display context corresponds to the context of the
aircraft.
[0035] The device according to the invention makes it possible to
manage the updating and display of non-standard navigation-aid
data. The storage of these data in a personalized database the
updating cycle of which is flexible makes it possible to take
account of the change in the data depending on the conditions of
the mission and to present to the pilot information that is up to
date. The centralized and automatic display of the data, depending
on predetermined display criteria, makes it possible to reduce the
load on the pilot. Moreover, the device ensures the usefulness and
pertinence of the displayed information. The device prevents
overloads of the navigation display. Displaying the geographic data
in context makes it possible both to reduce the workload of the
crew and to improve flight safety conditions. The piloting-aid
geographic data serve as reference points to the crew in order to
align the on-board systems for computing aeroplane position (i.e.
ensure that they are operating correctly). They also serve as an
aid during approach on sight or navigation routing procedures.
Specifically the pilot relates, purely on viewing, the flight
parameters and the flight management-aid data. This, for example,
allows the pilot to avoid constant position calculations to verify
that he is not entering banned airspace. More particularly, the
display of the air traffic management ATM data in context on the
navigation display makes it possible to improve communications
between the crew and the air traffic control authorities. For
example, a given frequency is associated with each sector, with
each flight information region FIR and the crew must change
frequency when it leaves one sector for another: displaying these
sectors in context makes it possible to easily anticipate a change
of frequency depending on the position of the aircraft and to check
for the possibility of forgetting a change-of-frequency request on
the part of air traffic control.
[0036] The device according to the invention provides the crew with
an aide-memoire. Displaying the free text means that the pilot does
not have to memorize the tasks he has to carry out.
[0037] The use of the navigation display ND makes it possible to
avoid the installation of a new display in a cockpit that is
already very congested. It saves power consumption, cost and room.
The integration of the personalized database and of the extraction
means, in the certified space of the flight management system FMS,
makes it possible to prevent duplicating the bases and the
computers within the aircraft and therefore prevents having to
certify them and prevents additional power consumption. Moreover,
the FMS is the preferred interface with the navigation display. It
also makes it possible to ensure, from a display point of view,
consistency between the elements of the flight plan and the
navigation-aid data that are displayed. The navigation aids
displayed form part of additional information to be brought to the
flight plan. Finally, for the contextual display, it is worthwhile
to use the FMS for this purpose, since the elements of the flight
plan are data computed and stored in the FMS (route, altitude,
position or data that are in the navigation database of the FMS,
etc). It is therefore possible to associate a point or airport on
the route with an item of contextual information to be
displayed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] Other features and advantages of the invention will appear
on reading the following detailed description, made as a
non-limiting example and with reference to the appended drawings in
which:
[0039] FIG. 1 represents schematically a known navigation-aid
device,
[0040] FIG. 2 represents schematically a first embodiment of a
flight management aid device according to the invention,
[0041] FIG. 3 represents schematically an example of a selection
window,
[0042] FIG. 4 represents schematically a first example of a window
dedicated to navigation,
[0043] FIG. 5 represents schematically a second example of a window
dedicated to navigation, and
[0044] FIG. 6 represents schematically a preferred embodiment of a
device according to the invention.
[0045] From one figure to the next, the same elements are indicated
by the same references.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0046] FIG. 2 shows a flight management aid device 1 installed on
board an aircraft according to a first embodiment of the invention.
It comprises a flight management system FMS 2 as described in FIG.
1 which will not be described again. The device 1 according to the
invention also comprises a personalized database PersDB, 230,
capable of storing navigation-aid data D, 360, which are distinct
from the standard data of the navigation database NavDB, 130. A
navigation-aid datum D, 360, is an individual file comprising a
type T, one or more periods P of validity, an item of information
of position relative to the geographic zone ZG, a representation R
of the said datum. The navigation-aid datum comprises optional
links with (standard) data of the navigation database, such as for
example the name of the airport to which it is attached, or with
non-standard data.
[0047] There now follows a list of the various sorts of
navigation-aid data to which reference is made in the present
patent application. The navigation-aid data D can belong to several
families, namely the family of textual data or a family of
geographic data taken from the family of air traffic management ATM
data, the family of geographic data for aiding piloting in
conditions of flying by sight or on instruments. Each of the
families can have several categories. An item of textual
information (or free text) can belong to several categories, namely
information relating to the route, to the airport of departure or
arrival or else to the passengers. The textual information is
information which needs to be taken into account to run the flight
in total security; it conventionally belongs to the airline or to
the air traffic control authorities. It does not usually match the
strict phraseology with which the digital instructions sent to the
flight crew must comply, but it is desirable all the same to be
able to take them into account in flight.
[0048] The air traffic management ATM data family comprises several
categories, namely of the sector limits, of the safe altitudes at
given positions, of the airspace divisions (Flight Information
Regions (FIR), the terminal region TMA (for "Terminal Manoeuvring
(or Management or Movement) Area"). A safe altitude is for example
a minimum altitude IFR (for "Instrument Flight Rules") which may be
a minimum altitude for clearing obstacles MOCA (for "Minimum
Obstacle Clearance Altitude"), a minimum enroute altitude (MEA), a
minimum safe altitude (MSA), a minimum vectoring altitude (MVA) or
an area minimum altitude (AMA).
[0049] The family of geographic data for aiding piloting in
meteorological conditions of flying by sight (VMC for "Visual
Meteorological Conditions") or for flying on instruments
("Instrumental Meteorological Conditions" (IMC)) comprises several
categories, namely of towns, rivers, seas and oceans, obstacles,
forests, borders between countries, high-voltage lines, motorways,
trunk roads, railways.
[0050] The type T of classification of a navigation-aid datum D is
representative of a family or else of one category (or a group of
categories) of one or more families of navigation-aid data.
[0051] The periods of validity P of a datum D are periods during
which a personalized datum is valid. A datum is valid when it
exists (for example a town) or when it is likely to generate a
requirement that the aircraft will have to comply with (for example
military sectors are zones reserved for military tests that civil
aircraft are not allowed to access at certain times.)
[0052] A geographic zone ZG associated with a datum D is a zone
related to the datum. For example, the sector limits, the rivers,
the motorways, are zones that have the shape of (or are delimited
by) open or closed curves (for example polygons). A datum D also
comprises information relating to one or more geographic zones ZG.
More precisely, the information relating to a geographic position
is relative to the position and the extent of the latter. This
involves, for example, a name representative of the geographic zone
(for example an airport or a waypoint) or a set of coordinates
defining the geographic zone ZG in the horizontal plane and
optionally in the vertical plane.
[0053] The information relating to the geographic zone ZG to which
a textual datum relates is, for example, one or more identifiers
(names) representative of the geographic zone ZG (which is for
example a position relating to a task to be performed or an item of
ATC/airline information, an airport, an airline route). A pair of
airport names defining a route are stored for example.
[0054] The zones to which the air traffic management ATM data or
the flight management aid data relate, which have the shape or
which are delimited by an open or closed curve (rivers, motorways,
borders, zone limits, etc.) are defined in the form of a table
representing the positions in the horizontal plane (latitude and
longitude) and optionally in the vertical plane of a set of points
defining the said curve. They can be defined by a name representing
the position and the extent of the said zone. The zones can also be
defined by a minimum altitude and a maximum altitude representing
respectively the lowest altitude and the highest altitude between
which the curve is situated. The geographic zone ZG of a safe
altitude is defined by the value of the safe altitude and by the
name of the zone associated with this altitude or else by its
coordinates in the horizontal plane. The geographic zone relating
to a town is, for example, characterized by the name of the town
and by its coordinates in the horizontal plane.
[0055] The graphic and/or textual representation R of a datum is
the information that it is desired to display on a navigation
display ND, 5, in order to represent the datum. For an item of
information of the textual type, this is text. For the geographical
data, it is a display symbol, that is to say a graphic
representation and optionally a text associated with this graphic
representation. The representation is characterized by its
position, its shape and optionally its colour.
[0056] The personalized database PersDB, 230, is fed and updated by
an operator who may be a member of the crew or an operator on the
ground. The input or deletion of a personalized datum is carried
out using management means GEST, 330, connected to the database
PersDB, 230. Advantageously it includes manual input means and a
display screen placed on the ground and/or on board the aircraft. A
screen allows the operator (on the ground or on board) to view the
information that he enters into the base and the data that are
stored therein. The table that characterizes a geographic zone in
the form of (or delimited by) a curve is either constructed based
on the input of the coordinates by an operator or originates from
the tracing of a polygon or of a curve by means of a graphic
interface (or software application) comprising input means and a
display screen.
[0057] The personalized database PersDB, 230, preferably comprises,
as shown in FIG. 1, a homologated storage space HOM, 290, which
contains the personalized data D that have been validated by the
operational support team of the air operator just as for the
verification of a navigation database. The base PersDB, 230, also
comprises an additional storage space COMP, 300, dedicated to the
storage of the data input at the last minute, namely in flight or
prior to the flight. During a mission, an operator cannot modify
the homologated storage space HOM, 290, but he can add new
personalized data to the complementary space COMP, 300. It is
therefore possible to include last-minute elements without waiting
for a formal authorization to include the information in this
database. The management means allow the pilot to transmit the data
added at the last minute to the ground, for validation, before
incorporating them into the homologated space HOM, 290. This
partition makes it possible to save time by taking account of the
invalidated last-minute data. Moreover, the integrity of the
conventional storage space 290 is maintained during the flight
stages because it is not affected by the last-minute additions.
Adding, into the homologated space HOM, 290, a datum called a
replacement datum to cancel an original datum has the effect of
replacing the original datum with the replacement datum.
Advantageously, the data added at the last minute are automatically
erased at the end of the flight. As a variant, they are verified in
order to be subsequently incorporated into the homologated space,
HOM, 290, on the action of an operator.
[0058] The homologated space HOM, 290, can be updated at any time
on the action of an operator (on the ground). The personalized base
is more flexible than the navigation base NavDB, 130. In summary,
the homologated database is a database containing unmodifiable data
that have been validated by an operator outside the crew
(essentially airline) in order to ensure the integrity and the
quality of the said data.
[0059] The device 1 for aiding flight management according to the
invention also comprises a navigation display ND, 5, connected to
the extraction means 270 by linking means 420. The navigation
display is preferably included in an on-board console MCDU, 3,
connected to the FMS by the transmission means 420.
[0060] The device 1 for aiding flight management according to the
invention also comprises selection means SEL, 340, allowing an
operator to select one (or more) type(s), called selected types TS,
corresponding to the types of data that he wishes to see displayed
on the navigation display ND, 5. The selection means SEL, 340,
advantageously comprise means for manual inputting, for example,
the inputting means 4 of the MCDU, 3, allowing the crew or the
operator to input the name of one or more types called selected
types or to select one or more types from a list of types displayed
on a display screen, for example, the navigation display ND, 5.
FIG. 3 shows an example of a selection window displayed on the
navigation display ND, 5 (occupying the whole display). Appearing
in this window is a list of types FIR, MEA, VILLE, MSA, TMA (the
meanings of which have been described above) which the operator can
select by means of the keys 10 of the input keyboard 4, which are
facing this zone.
[0061] The selection means SEL, 340, are connected to extraction
means EXT, 270. The extraction means EXT, 270, receiving the list
of selected types TS, extract from the personalized database
PersDB, 230, the navigation-aid datum or data called extracted data
DE, the type T of which is equal to at least one selected type TS,
of which at least one geographic zone ZG verifies a predetermined
display geographic criterion CG and of which at least one period of
validity P verifies a predetermined display time criterion CT, the
said extraction means EXT, 270, transmitting the said extracted
datum or data DE to the said navigation display ND, 5, capable of
displaying the representations R of the said extracted data DE.
[0062] The navigation display ND, 5, is capable of displaying a
navigation window comprising representations of elements of the
flight plan and representations R of extracted data belonging to
families of geographic data and/or a window dedicated to the
representations R of the extracted datum belonging to the family of
textual data. The navigation window displays the representations of
the elements of the flight plan and of the extracted data DE that
is in a predetermined display geographic zone ZA.
[0063] A geographic zone ZG verifies the display geographic
criterion CG when it is situated at a distance D from the flight
plan, that is less than a predetermined maximum distance Dmax. A
zero maximum distance Dmax is chosen when it is desired to display
on the navigation display only the representations of the data for
which the geographic zone ZG intersects the flight plan. As a
variant, a geographic zone ZG verifies the display geographic
criterion CG when it is situated at a distance D from the aircraft.
This variant is preferred when the aircraft is situated outside the
flight plan. The value of the maximum distance Dmax advantageously
depends on the selected type TS, that is to say on the nature of
the information to be shown on the screen. For example, it is of
particular value to display sector limits that intersect the flight
plan while it is worthwhile to display piloting-aid geographic data
situated in a perimeter around the flight plan.
[0064] The extraction means EXT, 270, are advantageously connected
to the modules for constructing a lateral trajectory TRAJ, 120, and
a vertical trajectory PRED, 140, and to the location means LOCNAV,
170, which transmit to them respectively the lateral, vertical
trajectories and the position of the aircraft. The extraction means
EXT, 270, advantageously comprise means (not shown) for computing
the distance of the aircraft from the flight plan and for assessing
the distance of a geographic zone ZG relative to the flight plan
and/or to the position of the aircraft.
[0065] A period of validity verifies the display time criterion CT
when its intersection with the period of flight PV is not zero.
"Period of flight PV" means the period of time extending between
the predicted departure time and the predicted time of arrival at
the arrival position of the flight plan; this period is optionally
extended around these two times in order to cover a slightly larger
time interval for safety. This datum is advantageously transmitted
by the flight-plan computing means to the extraction means EXT,
270. As a variant, if the geographic zone ZG of the same datum
intersects the flight plan, a period of validity P of the said
datum verifies the display time criterion CT when at least one
estimated time of passage at a point of intersection between the
geographic zone ZG and the flight plan is included in at least one
period of validity P of the said datum. The extraction means
advantageously comprise means for calculating, based on the lateral
trajectory and on the vertical trajectory, the estimated passage
time(s) at the point(s) of intersection between a geographic zone
ZG and the flight plan, and means of comparison between the
period(s) of validity P of a personalized datum and the period of
flight PV or the estimated passage time(s) at the aforementioned
intersection points.
[0066] As a variant, a datum is extracted when it is also valid
(that is to say when the current time, at the moment of extraction,
is included in a period of validity). In this way, all that is
displayed are the representations of the data that are valid at the
time of the extraction. As a variant, a navigation-aid datum D is
extracted if it also verifies other conditions, taken alone or in
combination, described below. For example, a datum is extracted if
also its geographic zone verifying the display geographic criterion
CG is included at least partly in a display zone ZA. This condition
is particularly valuable for the geographic data that are displayed
on a navigation window displaying the representation of the
elements of the flight plan and of the extracted data of the family
of geographic data which are situated in a given geographic zone
ZA. Advantageously, the navigation window also displays
representations of data stored in the navigation database NavDB,
130, relating to zones situated in the display zone ZA.
[0067] A first example of a navigation window is displayed
occupying the whole navigation display ND, 5, in FIG. 4. In this
example, the navigation display ND, 5, displays in bold a graphic
representation 400 of the portion of the lateral trajectory of the
flight plan included in a predetermined geographic zone ZA. The
geographic representation shows the shape of a curve comprising a
succession of segments linking waypoints 401, 402, 403, 404
represented by dots and associated with respective texts: ADABI,
BOKNO, DEVRO, VANAD. The navigation window also displays a set of
graduations 405 shown in dashed lines on the navigation display ND,
5, and a representation of an extracted datum of the "flight
information region FIR" type. This representation comprises a
graphic representation 406 which in this instance is a curve shown
in fine lines comprising a series of segments connecting points
407, 408, 409, 410 represented graphically by dashes. This
representation also comprises textual information "PARIS (LFFF)"
and "BORDEAUX (LFBB)" placed on either side of the line identifying
the air spaces by name. In practice, the lines representing the
flight plan and the geographic data can be differentiated on the
display by their colour. FIG. 5 shows a second example of a flight
information display window. It comprises the same elements of the
flight plan as on FIG. 4 and a representation of two polygon-shaped
extracted geographic data. This representation comprises graphic
representations in the form of two polygons 411, 412 situated in
the display zone. Each polygon is associated respectively with an
item of textual information representative of a zone name Z1,
D145.
[0068] Advantageously, a navigation-aid datum also comprises one or
more visibility slots. A visibility slot corresponds to a time slot
or to a luminosity slot in which it is preferable to display the
said datum. The display of a geographic datum of the town, river,
forest type is for example useful only when the crew cannot view it
directly, that is to say for example at night. Advantageously, a
datum is extracted only if also the visibility outside the aircraft
belongs to at least one visibility slot of the said datum. The
outside visibility is characterized by the time or else the outside
luminosity measured by conventional measurement means.
[0069] Advantageously, a navigation-aid datum also comprises a
range of navigation scales within which the datum is desired to be
displayed. The navigation scale of the navigation display is the
ratio that exists between the size of the display zone ZA displayed
and the size of the navigation display ND, 5. For example it is
possible to prefer not to display navigation-aid geographic data
(rivers, towns, etc.) when the navigation scale is greater than a
predetermined threshold. Specifically, the larger the display
geographic zone, the greater a risk of overloading the screen by
showing thereon a considerable number of navigation-aid data.
Advantageously, a datum is extracted only if the navigation scale
of the navigation display also belongs to the navigation scale slot
of the said datum.
[0070] Advantageously, a datum is extracted only when it is stored
in the homologated storage space HOM, 290. Therefore, all that is
displayed are the personalized data that are validated. This makes
it possible to ensure that the actions carried out by the pilot are
based on reliable information.
[0071] Advantageously, a navigation-aid datum also comprises one or
more display contexts. The context of the aircraft corresponds, for
example, to the load of the aircraft, to the presence of faults, or
to the flight phase (approach, on the ground, take-off,. etc.).
Advantageously, a datum is extracted only when its display context
corresponds to the context of the aircraft. The context can be
linked to an air route, an airport, a flight phase such as the
approach. For example, on approach by sight, certain obstacles or
geographic elements (rivers, towns) appear on the screen. The
advantage is that pertinent information is shown at the right
time.
[0072] In a second embodiment of the invention, a maximum number
NMAX of extracted data is fixed for a given display scale. In this
embodiment, a navigation-aid datum comprises a degree of importance
representative of the degree of importance of the display of the
datum (which relates to the usefulness of this datum for the crew).
For example, the importance indicator may correspond to the
following degrees of importance: "non-critical", "necessary",
"obligatory". The navigation-aid device 1 according to the second
embodiment comprises extraction means 270 comprising filtering
means (not shown). The filtering means are capable of deleting,
when the number of extracted data is greater than the maximum
number NMAX, the extracted data of which the degree of importance
is less, so as to keep only a number N of extracted data that is
less than or equal to the maximum number NMAX of extracted data.
Only the N extracted data are transmitted to the navigation
display. This prevents overloading the display.
[0073] FIG. 6 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the extraction means and the
personalized database PersDB, 230, are not incorporated into the
flight management system; they are, for example, included in a
server linked to the FMS, 2. In the preferred embodiment shown in
FIG. 6, these elements are included in the FMS, 2. As a variant, at
least one of these elements is included in a server connected to
the flight management system FMS, 2.
[0074] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the management means
GEST, 330, of the personalized database and the selection means
SEL, 340, include the on-board console MCDU, 3, comprising the
navigation display, 5, and (/or) remote management and selection
means GESTSELD, 350, connected to the said extraction means and to
the said personalized database by means of the ground/on-board
communication system CMU, 180.
[0075] Advantageously, the extraction means EXT, 270, extract the
extracted data at regular time intervals so as to regularly update
the information displayed on the navigation display.
[0076] The displayed information adapts to the needs of the pilot
along the flight plan and to the change of the navigation database
during the flight. When possible, the data must be verified
mutually with the data available in the navigation database so as
to ensure consistency between the various databases. This
verification can be carried out on the navigation display or using
a navigation map if there is doubt.
* * * * *